US Firms Head to Europe For International Rubber Conference

DICV Launches Customer Engagement Initiative - Mithra

Rubber Division, ACS, ACE Laboratories and Endurica will join major players in the global rubber industry at DKT IRC 2021 from 27-30 June 2022 in Nuremberg, Germany. 

All three will showcase their services, products, training and future events in Hall 9 Pavillion 104, a 36 sq m exhibition stand organised by UK marketing consultancy Rubber Heart, who will also be exhibiting for the first time since the company was established at the start of 2020. 

The consultancy said in a statement that it is the European Representative of Rubber Division, ACS, European marketing partners to ACE Laboratories and Endurica and is also the marketing and sales representative for FGV Rubber Industries in Malaysia, which produces FGV ENR and FGV DPNR. Information on modified natural rubbers will be also available on the booth, it said. 

David Cawthra, Director, Rubber Heart, said, “It’s been a long time since the rubber industry has been able to meet up and we are delighted that we are able to join our partners and the 250 exhibitors and 3000 expected participants in Nuremberg for DKT IRC 2021. We are excited that events are back and value even more how they can make you immediately feel part of a bigger picture and drive collaboration, partnerships and innovation that can only be of benefit for the whole industry.” 

DKT is organised by the Deutsche Kautschuk-Gesellschaft e. V. (DKG - German Rubber Society) and is Europe’s most important international event for the rubber industry that takes place every three years. DKG is a member of the International Rubber Conference Organisation (IRCO), a worldwide association of rubber societies who between them host the annual International Rubber Conference (IRC). 

Rubber Division, ACS is also an IRCO member and will next host the IRC in 2027. Lakisha Miller-Barclay, Executive Director and CEO will be on hand at the pavillion to talk to visitors about membership, education and training programmes as well as opportunities available at the International Elastomer Conference from 10 to 13 October 2022 in Knoxville, TN. 

ACE Laboratories provides independent rubber and silicone product and material testing, analysis and development services from its ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory in Ohio, USA. CEO Erick Sharp will meet with ACE’s international customers that include many leading global players in the rubber industry, as well as introducing ACE’s rapidly growing portfolio of services, it said. 

Endurica is a world leader in solutions for managing the durability of elastomeric products. Its fatigue life simulation software, testing and material characterisation services are relied upon by manufacturers across the globe for right-on-the-first-try product development programmes. Engineering Analyst Mark Bauman will talk in-depth to all those interested in exploring further how Endurica can get rubber products to market faster. 

Cawthra said, “There is certainly a real buzz in the industry about this event. There should be something for everyone in Hall 9 Pavilion 104, so come and see us all to find out about Rubber Heart and our partners and what we are all doing for the rubber industry! We look forward to meeting you there.” (TT)

Tegeta Green Planet And Shine Energy Inspire Eco-Responsibility In Young Learners

Tegeta Green Planet And Shine Energy Inspire Eco-Responsibility In Young Learners

Tegeta Green Planet and Shine Energy, both affiliated with Tegeta Holding, have launched a joint educational initiative to raise environmental awareness and a sense of responsibility among young people. The project addresses modern challenges such as environmental protection and sustainable development.

Company representatives are visiting schools across Tbilisi to hold informational meetings, presentations and workshops. The programme begins with presentations, followed by interactive games and activities designed to help students retain the information. At the end of each session, participants receive symbolic gifts and prizes as motivation.

Tegeta Green Planet focuses on teaching students the principles of specific waste management, including how to properly handle used tyres, batteries and oils. The sessions explain why proper waste management is essential for environmental protection and how it connects to the circular economy. Meanwhile, Shine Energy educates young people on the importance of energy, its everyday use and why developing renewable and sustainable energy resources is crucial.

The initiative is not limited to schools. In the near future, both organisations will expand their efforts to universities, aiming to broaden awareness about environmental protection, waste management and energy efficiency. The ultimate goal is to foster environmentally responsible attitudes among the younger generation, helping build a more sustainable and conscious society.

Zeon Earns Top Supplier Engagement Rating From CDP For First Time

Zeon Earns Top Supplier Engagement Rating From CDP For First Time

Zeon has been recognised as a Supplier Engagement Leader in the 2025 Supplier Engagement Assessment (SEA) conducted by CDP, a United Kingdom-based international environmental nonprofit organisation. This achievement represents the first time the company has received the highest possible rating in this assessment.

The evaluation measures how corporations address climate change within their supply chains, focusing on responses to the CDP Climate Change Questionnaire across five critical areas. These include governance, emissions targets, Scope 3 emissions management, risk management and overall supplier engagement strategies.

Zeon earned the top rating for its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through supplier collaboration, a group-wide initiative, alongside continuous dialogue maintained via procurement activities. Guided by its philosophy of contributing to planetary preservation and human prosperity, Zeon remains committed to sustainable management. The company reaffirmed that it will continue working with suppliers and other stakeholders to tackle climate change and meet societal expectations.

WACKER Announces Price Hike For Resins, Dispersions And Dispersible Polymer Powders

WACKER Announces Price Hike For Resins, Dispersions And Dispersible Polymer Powders

German chemical group WACKER has announced a price increase of up to 15 percent for its resins, dispersions and dispersible polymer powders produced at its European and US facilities. The adjustment takes effect on 1 June 2026, or as existing customer contracts permit. The move is designed to allow the company’s Polymers division to maintain high product quality, deliver technological innovations and provide superior customer service and technical support. It will also support investments aimed at securing future growth in key markets.

Rising costs for raw materials and logistics have forced the pricing measure, with the Polymers division being particularly affected. The recent conflict in the Middle East has caused significant disruptions across global commodity markets. As a direct result, prices for energy, raw materials and transportation have climbed sharply.

Despite the increase, WACKER remains focused on sustaining its commitment to customer support and long-term capability. The company underscored that the adjustment is necessary to continue meeting market demands while ensuring operational stability and future-oriented development across its focus markets.

Pirelli North America Launches First Closed-Loop Tyre Recycling Initiative

Pirelli North America Launches First Closed-Loop Tyre Recycling Initiative

Pirelli North America has launched its first closed-loop circular recycling initiative, marking a significant step in the company’s broader strategy to increase recycled and bio‑based content in its tyre production. The project has received the Tire Recycling Foundation’s Value Chain Collaboration Award.

The programme recovers scrap tyres generated during Pirelli’s own North American manufacturing process. These materials are sent to Bolder Industries, which applies ISCC PLUS‑certified pyrolysis technology to produce BolderBlack recovered carbon black. Pirelli then reintroduces this material into new tyre production at its North American facilities, partially replacing virgin carbon black. The effort is part of a wider Pirelli plan to expand such industrial ecosystems across the group’s production network, aiming to valorise waste by reintegrating recovered materials into tyre manufacturing.

Beyond the award, the initiative reflects Pirelli’s broader circularity approach, which includes ongoing work to boost recycled and bio‑based material usage. The company targets over 80 percent bio‑based and recycled content in its best‑performing products and forty percent in total production by 2030.

Claudio Zanardo, CEO, Pirelli North America, said, "The Rome plant is one of the most technologically advanced manufacturing facilities in Pirelli. This initiative reflects an approach focused on increasing the use of recovered materials within existing production processes. It is part of a broader effort to gradually integrate raw materials derived from recycled resources into our products while maintaining consistency in performance and quality."

Tony Wibbeler, CEO, Bolder Industries, said, "Our collaboration demonstrates that a traceable, mass-balance approach to tyre-to-tyre circularity is not only achievable, but it's ready to scale inside a premium manufacturing environment, meeting real performance and certification requirements at every step. This is the kind of progress the industry has been working toward for many years."